Over 500 Tickets Issued During New Bedford Snow Parking Ban

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — It seems New Bedford residents didn’t take Sunday’s snow emergency parking ban seriously, as over 500 tickets were issued and nearly 200 vehicles were towed.

The parking ban was instituted at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 18 and lifted at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 19. According to the National Weather Service, New Bedford received about six inches of snow during the storm.

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How Many Tickets and Tows Were Issued

New Bedford Police spokesperson Holly Huntoon said 170 vehicles were towed during the parking ban, and 506 tickets were issued. Each ticket was a $50 fine.

Why the Parking Ban Sparked Controversy

The parking ban was not without controversy on social media, and was drawn into the ongoing back-and-forth between Mayor Jon Mitchell’s administration and the New Bedford Police Union, as the union has continued to work without a contract for the past 560 days.

Police Union Raises Staffing Concerns

On Sunday afternoon, the NBPU posted to its Facebook page that officers were being “pulled” in order to write tickets to enforce the parking ban.

“What many of you may not be aware of is that the decision was made to run the city short-staffed,” the union wrote. “Instead of keeping the set minimum number of patrol officers for the shift, to ensure safety for our citizens and officers, some officers are being pulled (taken from a front line cruiser) to write tickets for the parking ban.”

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“The NBPU wanted it to be known that we vehemently oppose this decision, as we feel it is not fair to the people of our city, who pay taxes to have a set number of officers patrolling the streets, and our members, who feel already that they may be forced to write a set number of tickets which could possibly be considered a quota by some,” the union posted.

Police Department Pushes Back on Union Claims

The New Bedford Police Department’s official Facebook page pushed back on the notion of being “short-staffed” and having a “quota” for tickets. The department said four officers and a supervisor were assigned to support parking ban enforcement, and that on-duty patrol officers had been directed to assist with enforcement when not handling other calls for service.

“Each shift remains fully staffed so emergency and non-emergency calls continue to be handled promptly while also supporting this effort,” the department posted, noting that one officer from the South End and one from the North End were assigned to accompany New Bedford Parking Authority staff on enforcement activities.

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“There are more New Bedford police officers on duty tonight than on an average evening, helping ensure public safety for residents and motorists throughout the storm,” the department wrote. “Officers are expected to enforce the parking ban until it is lifted, just as they close streets for downed wires or assist with evacuations during flooding. There is no quota for tickets or tows. Enforcement continues only as long as necessary and in line with the parking ban.”